(05-21-2021 01:05 PM)BigChilla Wrote: (05-21-2021 07:58 AM)Big Red Wrote: (05-20-2021 08:18 PM)BigChilla Wrote: Anyone care to venture a guess at the starting 5?
I look at all these names, and the roster, and it seems like it could be any one of a few combinations
I'll take a stab at it.
Let's just put it this way, if it's not this lineup (and there are no injuries) I'd be really surprised:
G - Trendon Hankerson
G - Darweshi Hunter
G - Keshawn Williams
F - Martice Mitchell
C - Chris Osten
I could see a platoon between Zool Kueth and Mitchell in the 4 spot depending on the opponent and what they want to emphasize. Kaleb Thornton is also probably the first guard off the bench.
As for the freshman, who knows. Obviously Kon is really talented and looks like he may really be something but a lot with freshman depends on a lot of factors regarding how quickly they get into the lineup.
Looks right to me - was curious if Bruno would roll out Osten and Mitchell. Honestly a really good starting 5 - who should at least play a lot of fun basketball.
Seems to me with having both Okanu and Makuoi in reserve gives Burno the luxury of starting both Osten and Mitchell if he wants to. And, those two could be a real issue for opposing teams. And while Okanu and Makuoi aren't all that good, they're big and strong and Okanu (especially) plays with a high motor so you don't really get to relax if either of the starters comes out.
Anyway, like I said, I could see Kueth starting as well especially if he has a good pre-season practice routine and is hitting shots. And it's not like he isn't tall and long. So, they don't give up a ton of height (strength yes...) with him in as opposed to Mitchell.
I do wonder what Burno will do with Crump. Personally, I found him to be an enigma. The dude is not a D-1 basketball player yet he played ALL THE TIME and started most of the time. Granted, he was like one of the only guys who never got hurt or sick, so...he maybe had an advantage on the others. But even when Chapman took over, Crump still started. I don't get it.
I'm hoping Burno doesn't fall into this same trap with the intoxicating allure of a 6'8" guard who can't shoot or dribble. I'm not even all that comfortable with him coming off the bench. He's almost too confident for my liking.
Anyway, I'm not sure how much guard depth we'll have this year. We had a ton last year and very little in the post but that seems to have flipped this year. Especially with (6'8") freshman Montavious Myrik. But, you never know with freshmen.
Right now, it looks like the bench guards are (or will probably be) Thompson, Crump (to his credit, he played inside a lot last year due to depth chart issues) who are returning and then Zion Russell and Noah Kon who are both freshmen. Oh, and Kamron Battle who isn't really much of an option, but he's better than the typical last man on the bench/walk-on most teams have (I think).
So, not super deep at guard and quite deep in the post.
Also...I'm not sure if Chris Johnson is coming back or not. He should have a year of eligibility, if for no other reason than getting a medical redshirt (I'm guessing that's why he didn't play at all last year but as far as I know he was abducted by aliens) but also because of the extra year of eligibility. Not that I really care if he plays on the team but he's yet another post guy who is big and strong and plays with a high motor.
So, with Johnson or without, there's a ton of depth in the post.